Red Flag Warning issued for areas along and east of Highway 281 on March 27, (NWS Hastings, Courtesy)
GRAND ISLAND — A Red Flag Warning for critical fire weather conditions has been issued for areas along and east of the Highway 281 corridor in central Nebraska for Friday, March 27.
In central Nebraska, the counties under the warning include Nance, Howard, Merrick, Polk, Hall, Hamilton, York, Adams, Clay, Fillmore, Webster, Nuckolls and Thayer. The warning is in effect from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Despite the cooler temperatures, markedly dry air has filtered into the region behind the cold front that moved through Thursday.
Combined with northerly winds at 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 25-35 mph and relative humidity as low as 10 to 20 percent, critical fire weather conditions will be present.
Widespread near-critical fire weather conditions will be in place across the rest of the region, but the best chance for critical conditions will be possible along and east of Highway 281.
A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.
A Fire Weather Watch has been issued across parts of the area for Saturday, March 28. Winds will be out of the south at 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.
A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur, an upgrade to a Red Flag Warning is likely.
